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How to Beagle-Proof Your Yard

The Beagle is a small- to medium-sized dog breed, but donít let that fool you Ė they are talented escape artists! If you donít keep the latch on your gate locked or if you look away from your Beagle for just a minute, he might be gone when you turn back around. To make sure that you are ready for a Beagle, follow the steps below to Beagle-proof your yard.

Basic Tips for Beagle-Proofing Your Yard

In order to determine which items in your yard might be hazardous to your Beagle you may want to walk the perimeter of your yard and look at things through your Beagleís eyes. What objects seem like fun things to chew on? Is your fencing easy to dig under or jump over? What kind of plants do you have in your landscaping that might be fun to dig up? Do not underestimate the curiosity or determination of your Beagle puppy Ė if he wants something he will find a way to get it and it is your job to make sure that he cannot access anything dangerous.

The first step in Beagle-proofing your yard is to make sure that you have a sturdy fence in place. Beagles may be small but they are talented escape artists Ė not only have they been known to jump fences as tall as 6 feet, but they are also very fast diggers. Do not trust short fences or wire netting Ė it is well worth it to build a strong, sturdy wooden or plastic fence that is at least 6 feet high. You may also want to line the ground at the base of the fence with rocks to keep your Beagle from digging under it.

In addition to making sure that your fencing is Beagle-proof, you also need to remove potentially harmful items from your yard. Be sure that all fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals are kept locked away where your Beagle canít get them. If you have a pond or swimming pool, make sure it stays covered or put a fence around it. You should also make sure that any lawn and garden tools are put away where your Beagle canít get to them. If you have children, be sure that they pick up their toys when they are finished playing with them so your Beagle isnít tempted to chew on them.

What Plants are Toxic for Dogs?

In addition to taking the aforementioned precautions to Beagle-proof your yard, you should also be mindful of which plants are toxic for dogs. If you have any toxic plants in your yard you should consider removing them or at the very least put a fence around them so your Beagle cannot get into them. Here is a list of harmful outdoor plants:

Aloe Vera

Amaryllis

Azalea

Begonia

Castor Bean

Chrysanthemum

Cyclamen

Daffodil

Gladiola

Hosta

Ivy

Lillies

Milkweed

Morning Glory

Oleander

Poinsetta

Pothos

Sago Palm

Tomatoes

Tulips

Yews

The Beagle is a very smart and inquisitive dog so, even if you think that there is no way he might get into something in your yard, you donít want to run the risk of being wrong. Before you let your Beagle puppy out in the backyard, be sure to implement these Beagle-proofing tips and remove or fence off any potentially harmful plants.